NEW DELHI: Just one negative vote at
UN cannot change the dynamics of our relationship with India, visiting Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday, terming India-Israel ties as a "marriage made in heaven".
"I don't think one vote affects a general trend you can see in many other votes and these visits," Netanyahu said when asked to comment on India's vote at UN against US decision to recognise
Jerusalem as Israel's capital, in an interview on India Today TV channel.
"Yes, naturally we were disappointed, but this visit is a testimony that our relationship is moving on so many fronts, be it political, technological, tourism, security and so many other areas. Ultimately you see it reflected in all UN votes, not just now but soon," he added.
In December last year, India voted in favour of a resolution in the UN opposing the United States's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The resolution was approved with 127-9 at the UN General Assembly.
"First of all, there is a special relationship between the two countries, between their people and then between the leaders. The partnership between India and Israel is a marriage made in heaven but consecrated on earth," Netanyahu said, adding he respects his Indian counterpart
Narendra Modi "as a great leader" because he is "impatient to bring future to his people".
On cooperation against terrorism, he said that intelligence is the key.
"And Israel has on the whole superb intelligence. I would say none is better. And we share with you our intelligence and have stopped over the last few years some 30 major terror attacks, which we shared vis-a-vis not India alone but with dozens of countries."
"Israel protects the lives of so many people. When you board a plane you want to know that plane won't be blown up midair. It will take off and land safely. When that happens, usually Israel has something to do with it, not on every flight but on many flights," he said.
Asked if he approves India's terror strikes launched across the border with Pakistan, he said that India makes its own choices and "you fight terrorism by fighting it".
As the interviewer persisted, a smiling Netanyahu said: "Well, I am trying to be a foreign minister. I am trying to be a diplomat, because I hold two portfolios - the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister at the same time."
Asked if Israel can use his good offices with China to persuade it to not veto a resolution against Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed, Netanyahu said: "I think these things are best discussed not on television, especially if you want to make progress."
However, he also said: "But our defence relationship is quite significant and comprises many things. I think the key word here is defence. We want to defend ourselves, we are not aggressive nations. We are very committed to making sure that none can commit an aggression against the either one of us."
